Cigarette case or the like



Nov. 2, 1943. A. M. OPLER CIGARETTE CASE OR THE LIKE Filed July l, 1940 INVENTOR. JfveeZM. Opez.

ATTO EYSr Patented Nov. 2, 1943 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CIGARETTE CASE R THE LIKE Alfred M. Opler, New York, N. Y.

Application July 1, 1940, Serial No. 343,379

1 Claim. (Cl. 312-31.3)

This invention relates generally to cigarette cases and the like. More particularly it relates to cigarette cases and the like provided with means for maintaining the contents thereof in good condition for protracted periods of time.

While my invention has been disclosed in its application to cigarette cases, it is to be understood that as to certain phases thereof it may have other applications, as for example, to tobacco jars, or cigar boxes.

The general object of my invention is the provision in a cigarette case of a simple, effective and inexpensive construction, whereby the contents of the cigarette case will be protected and maintained in good condition.

Among the more particular objects of my invention is the provision in a cigarette case of a simple arrangement whereby the cover of the cigarette case is maintained effectively in closed position once it is closed.

Among the more particular objects of my inF vention is further the provision in a cigarette case of a construction whereby the contents of the cigarette case are visible at all times, and the provision in a cigarette case of an arrangement whereby the moisture conditions within the case will be so maintained asto preserve the contents in good condition and in particular to prevent spoilage due to excessive dryness and whereby stale dried-out cigarettes when inserted into the case may be restored to a condition of freshness'.

These objects vand such other objects as will hereinafter appear or be pointed out are obtained in the illustrative embodiment of lmy invention shown in the drawing, in which :l

Figure 1 is a view in perspective of a cigarette case according to my invention showing the cover thereof in its open position;

Figure 2 is a side View of the cigarette case of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary rear View in perspective of the upper portion of the. cigarette case of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary transverse sectional View on an enlarged scale, substantially on the line 4 4 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 5 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the top of thev cigarette case of Figure l, showing the humidifying element partly drawn out of the cover;

Figure 6 is a fragmentary View in perspective of the moisture retaining pad of one of the humidifying elements;

Figure 'Z is a View in perspective of the tray of one of the humidifying elements;

Figure 8 is a plan view on a reduced scale of the blank for the exterior of the body portion of the cigarette case of Figure 1;

Figure 9 is a plan view of the blank for an insert, which together with the blank of Figure 8 constitutes the body portion of the cigarette case;

Figure 10 is a view in perspective indicating the manner of setting up the vblank of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a fragmentary sectional view substantially on the line I l of Figure 2 looking in the direction of the arrow, and showing a detail of the manner of assembling the blanks of Figures 8 and 9;

Figure l2 is a fragmentary View in perspective also showing the manner of assembling the blanks of Figures 8 and 9; and

Figures 13 and 14 are respectively plan views of blanksfor the outside and for the insert of the cover of the cigarette case of Figure 1.

The illustrative embodiment of my invention shown in the drawing comprises a body portion A and a cover portion B, and these are hingedly united as shown at C.

The body portion A is of prismatic form having rectangular faces and it is open at the top. The cover portion B may be described as a section of a prism having its bottom cut away on the bias. The resulting configuration is clearly shown in Figures 1, 2, 3 and 4. As appears from the latter figure the cover B is adapted to seat on the body portion A so as to form therewith a complete prism. Due to the bias construction of the cover, however, the front face of the cover is of greater depth than the rear face.

It will be observed that the hinge C is positioned below the upper edge of the body A Whereby, as can be seen from Figure 4 as` the cover B is tilted about the hinge the point P on the inside of the front face thereof, located at the level of the hinge C, will travel along the path indicated by the circular arc P-Q which intersects the upper edge of the front Wall of the body A at a point P', and this point P is positioned to the rear of the point F at the top of the outer face of the front wall of the body A. As tilting of the cover is continued the point P will reach the point P2 and in this position the front wall of the cover is entirely clear of the body portion.

From what has been said it will be understood that before the cover can be brought into the dot and dash line position of Figure 4, in which the point Prhas reached the position P2; it is necessary for the front wall of either the base or the cover to yield, and for this purpose one or both of these front walls are made of elastic material, which material is also resilient, so that, While it affords resistance to the opening of the cover it will spring back into place, after the cover is open, and whereby when the cover is again positioned in its full line or closed position the front wall of the base A will resist opening of the cover.

When the cover B-is in its full line position of Figure 4 which represents the normal position of closure thereof, it will be rmly seated in place over the body portion A and will provide a clo-` sure that is practically airtight. Tilting of the cover B in a counterclockwise direction is pre-i vented by the alignment and seating engagement of the front wall of the cover on the front wall of the body.

To attain certain of the objects of my invention both the cover and the body ofthe cigarette case are made of moisture proof non-inflammable material, and to attain other objects the material may also be transparent, whereby the contents of the cigarette case are at all times visible without the necessity of opening the cigarette case. Many materials having the desired characteristics are available'at the present time. I have found among others that cellulose acetate and synthetic resin are materials that are highly satisfactory in practice.

While the use of water proof material such as cellulose acetate and synthetic resin compounds will to a certain extent'help to maintain the contents of the cigarette case in good condition, I have found that it does not entirely prevent the drying out of the contents. In order to prevent such drying out I have found it desirable, as an added feature of my invention, vto provide humidifyingmeans in the cigarette case, which may be in the form lof a water vapor emitting element H in the body ofthe caseV and another water vapor emitting element M in the top of the base. These elements are preferably positioned above and beneath the open ends of the cigarettes in the case as shown in Figure 1. Obviously if'desired only one humidifying element either in the Vcover or in the body may be used.

The moisture holding elements H and M may be inthe form of inserts slidable into compartments provided for that purpose respectively in the cover and the body. Y, The constructional details of the illustrative embodiment of my invention shown in the drawing will now be described. It'will of course be understood that this is only one of the many ways in which my invention may be embodied.

Figure 8 I have shown a blank D out of which vthe exterior ofthe body A of the cigarette case is formed. This blank is composed of a pair of panels I5 and I6 constituting Vrespectively the front and rear'of the body. Intermediate the side walls isa panel I'I which constitutes one end Wall.l The lines I8 and I9 indicate the lines of folding of these panels. The other Vend wall is constituted by`a pair of panels and 2I, the former being joined to the panel I5 through the line of.V folding 22, and the latter being joined to the panel I B through the line ofV folding 23. When these panels are folded about the respective foldA lines the panels 2D and 27| will meet in abutting relation, as can be seen in Figures 1 and 2as well as in Figure 12.

A pair of panels 24 and 25 each constituting one half of the bottom wall of the case areconnected respectively to the panels I5 and I6, the fold lines being shown at 26 and 21. When the blank is set up these panels will come into abutting relation to form the bottom Wall of the body A.

It will be observed that a portion of one end of each panel 20 and 2| is cut away so as to leave an opening at the bottom of the end wall through which the humidifying element H may be inserted, as will be described more fully hereinaafter. These cut away portions are indicated at 28 and 29. The bottom panels 25 and 24 also have portions cut away so as to provide a recess within which a lug carried by the humidifying element H may be accommodated, as will also be more fully described hereinafter. These cut awayportions are indicated at 3| and 30.

' In order to complete the base A I have provided a second blank E shown in Figure 9, which comprises a panel 32, which, as will subsequently appear, constitutes a false vbottom overlying but spaced from the outerrbottom of the case. lPerforations 33 are provided in this panel for a purpose that will also appear hereinafter. Attached `to, one side of the panel 32 is a' panel 33a adapted to hinge about the fold line 34. `Attached respectively to the other three sides ofthe panel 32 are narrow panels 35, 36 andl 3l, their respective fold lines being shown at 38, 39 -andIIIL `V Y Attached to the panel 36- is apanel 4|','which is contoured and dimensioned so as to overlie panels 24 and 250i the blank f Figure 8, and has a portion 4 Iav cut out of its free end for purposes to be described', While the cut out 4Ia is shown as V-shaped it will be understood that it may have other contours, as `will be understood as the description" proceeds. `|I'he' panel` 4I hinges about'the'line'illb. f s i The manner of folding the Yblzatnkql] 'forassociation with the blank D is vindicated in Figure l0. 'It will be observed that the panel A32V is ,disposed horizontally while the panel 33a is" shown as folded up 'in avertical position. The panels 35, 36 and 3l are folded downward into Ya, vertical position and the panel 4I'is folded soas to underlie the pane1'32. In Figure'lO `the panel 4I is not shown in its iinal'position but instead is shown in an intermediate position, and movement into the nal position is indicated by the arrow 42, which shows that the panel 4I is tov be moved into a horizontal Vposition underlying but spaced from the panel 32; WhenY in these respective positions it will be observed thatthe panels 32, 35, 36, 31 and-4I constitute the walls of a compartment that is open-at Aone side (the'right side as shown in Figure l0) and the blank E is adapted to be associated with the blank D so that the panel 33a registers with' the panels 2fand 2|. It will be observed that the open side of the compartment formed by the blank E registers-with the cut away portions 26 and 29 described in connection with the blank D, while the cut out portion 4 Ia of the panel 4I registers withthe cut away portions 30 and 3| of the blankD. A

This manner of assembly of blanks D and E is indicated in Figures 11 and 12. It will be understood that the panels 20 and 2I are suitably secured to the panel 33a as by cementing them thereto, and that the panels .24 and 25 are suitably secured to the panel 4I as by cementing them. Where it is desired to .make Vthe case transparent it will be understood, of course, that the cement should alsobe transparent.

It is to be understood that while the blanks-D and E have been described as made of an integral piece of material, that for particular purposes, as for instance, to save material, or to reinforce portions, it may be found advantageous to make each blank of more than one piece, these pieces being joined together in any suitable or preferred material. For reinforcing purposes several layers of material may be used.

It will be observed, particularly from Figure 1l, that by assembling the blanks D and E in the manner described a strong rigid construction that is free from awkward overlaps is obtained. Wherever overlapping occurs as in the case of the panels 26, 2| and 33a, and 24, 25 and 4|, this overlapping occurs throughout an entire wall and not merely a portion of a wall.

It will further be observed that a compartment is formed in the bottom of the base A, opening outwardly at one end thereof, into which may be slipped the humidifying arrangement H, which will shortly be described. This compartment is f separated from the main body of the base A by the false bottom 32 but water vapor from the humidifying element H may enter the main portion of the base A through the perforations 33.

An illustrative manner of constructing the humidifying element H is shown in Figures 6 and '7. G (see Figure '7) denotes a tray having end Walls 43 and 44 and side walls 45 and 46, all of these being secured to a base panel 41 so as to form a tray. The outer end wall 43 is preferably of a thickness to insure practically air-tightness when fully inserted in the compartment. The material of these parts is preferably water proof and may also be transparent. Cellulose acetate, synthetic resin, plastics, sheetings or molding compounds and the like may be mentioned as examples of suitable materials. A lug 48 is provided on the outside wall of the panel 41 at one end thereof and this lug serves as a inger grip when the tray G is inserted into the compartment intended to receive it. The lug 48 is so dimensioned that it will iit into the recesses 30, 3| and 4|a. (see Figure ll) whereby it will be observed that the tray can be completely inserted into the said compartment and the lug, while readily accessible for purposes of manipulation, will not protrude beyond the general contours of the base A to an objectionable extent and preferably is made flush with the base of the case. The construction just described can be readily understood by reference to Figures 3 and 5 which illustrate the humidifying element M, which is a duplicate of the humidifying element H, respectively in its fully inserted position and in a partly protruded position.

In Figure 6 I have shown a moisture retaining pad L adapted for insertion into the tray G of Figure '1. It consists essentially of a mass of water retaining material, such as layers 49 of absorbent paper within muslin on the face to prevent the paper from roughing or tearing, a compressed cotton pad or a clay pellet and surrounded on all sides except one face by moisture proof material 50. The uncovered face is shown at 5|.

The pad or pellet L is rst moistened, and is then placed in the tray G so that its face 5| is exposed. The entire assembly H is then slid into the compartment in the base A with the face 5| of pad L positioned underneath the wall 32 so that vapors therefrom can pass through the perforations 33 of said wall and into the main body of the base A. Since the cigarettes have their end portions resting on the Wall 32 the vapors will enter the cigarettes without having to pass through the wrappers thereof.

It will be observed that the humidifying element H can be inserted into the case or withdrawn therefrom without opening the case, so that no exposure of the contents is necessary.

It is further to be noted that while I have described the use of water with the humidifying element, that flavoring substances or perfumes may be used therewith if desired, so as to impart a desired flavor or perfume to the contents of the case.

The cover B, in general, is shown as constructed similarly to the base A. It comprises two blanks N and O. Suitable provision is made for the hinge, and the end walls have their edge portions cut on the bias.

The blank N, which corresponds to the blank B comprises panels 52, 53, 54, 51, 58, 6I and 62, corresponding respectively to the panels 5, I6, 20, 2|, 24 and 25 of blank D, and folding on the lines 55, 56, 60, 63 and 64 respectively, corresponding to the various folding lines of the blank D. A plurality of tabs 65 are provided on the free edge of the panel 62 and constitute in effect hinge plates. If desired the tabs 65 may be formed on a separate panel, which is then suitably secured to the panel 52.

The blank O, which corresponds to the blank E of the base A, comprises panels 66, 68, 1D, 1|, 12 and 16, folding on the lines 69, 13, 15, 11 and the panel 16 having a cut out portion corresponding to the portion 4| a.

The panel 66 has perforations 61 therein corresponding to the perforations 33.

The assembly of the blanks N and O is similar to that of the blanks D and E and for that reason requires no detailed description.

The assembly of the base A and the cover B is shown effected by a hinge construction comprising a panel 13 provided with tabs 86 (see Fig. 3) which are doubled back and are positioned so as to alternate with the tabs 65 of the blank N, which are also doubled over and suitably secured in place. Thereby a hinge plate construction is obtained, and the two hinge plates are united by means of a hinge pin 8| which is laid in the bight portions of the tabs 65 and 19.

By making the body of the case of a size as illustrated so that the cigarettes protrude therefrom, the latter may be readily withdrawn from the case, and further add additional security to the closure of the case, by the frictional and resilient Contact of the protruding ends with the inside of the cover.

The humidifying element M is shown as an exact duplicate of the element H. Its tray R carries a pad S (see Fig. d). The parts R and S are of a construction identical with that of the parts G and L of the element H, and further description thereof may therefore be omitted as superfluous.

While I have herein disclosed one illustrative embodiment of my invention, it will be understood that the same may be embodied in many other forms Without departing from the spirit thereof, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art, and it will be further understood that the disclosure herein is by way of illustration merely and is not to be interpreted in a limiting sense, and that I do not limit myself other than as called for by the prior art.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is:

A cigarette case comprising a covermember and a body member, one of said members being formed of a blank folded into prismatic formto comprise a pair of side Wall panels, an end wall panel uniting said sidewall panels and the outer ends of said side wall panels eachrhaving a panel attached thereto to form one half of the other end Wall and also another panel attached thereto to form one half of the top wall, and of a second blank received in said first mentioned folded blank folded to comprise a panel secured to the inside face of the two half end wall panels of said first mentioned folded blank, another panel secured to the inside face of the two half top wall panels of the said first mentioned folded blank,` a perforated false partition united to said first panel and a short end wall uniting said second panel and slaid false partition, whereby said sec- 'ond folded blank when attached to the rst folded blank forms a compartment adjacent an outer wall of said member, and parts of the said half panels of the top Wall attached to said rst folded blank being cut away so as to provide an opening in said top wall affording access to said compartment.

ALFRED M. OPLER..l 

